• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.172-181
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• 2019

This case report relates to a 40-year old male patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis who was treated with acupotomy and traditional Korean medicine. He showed a significant improvement in joint range of motion (ROM) in cervical and lumbar vertebrae, and in pain and functional disorder symptoms. The patient received acupotomy, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine and physical therapy (November 26, 2018 to December 17, 2018). Joint ROM for cervical and lumbar vertebrae was measured, and the pain level was assessed using a numerical rating scale. The functional disorder and quality of life scales were also assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. After applying acupotomy and traditional Korean medicine, the patient exhibited increased joint ROM and reduced pain, also in conjunction with improved responses in functional disorder and quality of life.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.11-26
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• 2003

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid deposition and associated loss of neunons in brain regions involved in learning and memory processes. Several causes of evidence support that the congnitive disturbance is closed associated with the deficit of cerebral acetylcholine neurotransmission, and the effect of carboxyl terminal 105 amino acid fragment (CT105) of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) on the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines. We tested it on the scopolamine-induced amnesia model of the ICR mouse using the Morris water maze with repeated orally administration of 1st Green-Tea extract (200 mg/kg) and 2nd Green-Tea extract (200 mg/kg). The Green-Tea prevents impairment of learning and memory and neuronal loss in mouse models of cognitive disturbance and it demonstrated selectivity for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Furthermore, the repeated administration of Green-Tea, CT105-induced alzheimer's mouse model showed central cholinergic activity by ameliorates learning and memory impairment, and isolation of CD14 microglia showed significantly decreases intracellular release of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because of its composite profile, oral therapeutic index and a prophylactic, Green-Tea is considered the better therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2019

Recently, number of honeybees (Apis mellifera) has visibly decreased because they are vulnerable to some diseases like American foulbrood disease. American foulbrood disease, which is caused by Paenibacillus larvae, is emerged as great cause of decrease in number of honeybees. After antibiotic-resistant strain emerged, it is now more difficult to treat those pathogens successfully. Researches on finding alternative antibacterial compound are ongoing. In this study, we examined the antibacterial effect of honokiol on P. larvae. Honokiol showed great antibacterial effect with minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.5 ㎍/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration of 50 ㎍/mL. An agar diffusion test also confirmed the anti-Paenibacillus larvae activity of honokiol with an inhibitory zone of 9±0.5 mm. Since honokiol is known to interact membrane of some bacteria, we measured 260 nm absorbing particles, which could be induced by leakage of cells, and confirmed that the leakage of P. larvae occurred in dose-dependent manners. However, result of crystal violet assay suggested that honokiol has only mild anti-biofilm formation effect on P. larvae, which means honokiol controls the bacteria by inducing the bursting of membrane. Finally, an additive effect of honokiol with tetracycline and terramycin was found using a checkerboard assay with a fractional inhibitory concentration index value of 0.5.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2022

This study classified subjects aged 30 to 64 into normal group, impaired fasting glucose group, and diabetes mellitus patient group based on data from the 6th period of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015). Skipping breakfast, lack of physical activity, inadequate sleep time, inadequate weight, excessive drinking, and current smoking are classified as a low health risk group when three or less items are present, and a high health risk group when three or more items are included. By classification, each item included in the physical measurement and biochemical analysis factors and health risk behavior factors was comparatively analyzed. As a result, in the normal group, impaired fasting glucose group, and diabetes group, the average age was higher in the group with high health risk factors than the group with low risk factors, and the male ratio was higher. Body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride showed a significantly higher result. In the normal group, the fasting blood glucose level and total cholesterol level were also higher in group 2. Therefore, it is thought that it is necessary to control health risk behaviors through lifestyle changes in the normal group, fasting glucose disorder group, and diabetes group.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.689-699
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• 2024

Colitis is a major gastrointestinal disease that threatens human health. In this study, a synbiotic composed of inulin and Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici) was investigated for its ability to alleviate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. The results revealed that the synbiotic, composed of inulin and P. acidilactici, attenuated the body weight loss and disease activity index (DAI) score in mice with DSS-mediated colitis. Determination of biochemical indicators found that the synbiotic increased anti-oxidation and alleviated inflammation in mice. Additionally, histopathological examination revealed that colonic goblet cell loss and severe mucosal damage in the model group were significantly reversed by the combination of inulin and P. acidilactici. Moreover, synbiotic treatment significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the serum of mice. Thus, a synbiotic composed of inulin and P. acidilactici has preventive and therapeutic effects on DSS-induced colitis in mice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5917-5921
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• 2015

Background: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the entire world. Reported standardized incidence rates are 12.6, 61.7, 11.9 and 27.9 in Iran, developed countries, developing countries and the entire world, respectively. The present study investigated the relative risk of PC in Iran at the province level and also explored the impact of some factors by the use of Bayesian models. Materials and Methods: Our study population was all men with PC in Iran from 2005 to 2008. Considered risk factors were smoking, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, obesity and human development index. We used empirical and full Bayesian models to study the relative risk in Iran at province level to estimate the risk of PC more accurately. Results: In Iran from 2005 to 2008 the total number of known PC cases was 10,361 with most cases found in Fars and Tehran and the least in Ilam. In all models just human development index was found to be significantly related to PC risk Conclusions: In the unadjusted model, Fars, Semnam, Isfahan and Tehran provinces have the highest and Sistan-and-Baluchestan has the least risk of PC. In general, central provinces have high risk. After adjusting for covariates, Fars and Zanjan provinces have the highest relative risk and Kerman, Northern Khorasan, Kohgiluyeh Boyer Ahmad, Ghazvin and Kermanshah have the lowest relative risk. According to the results, the incidence of PC in provinces with higher human development index is higher.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 2019

Purpose: The efficacy of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) with a polymeric diet has not been confirmed in Korean pediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of EEN with a specific polymeric diet ($Encover^{(R)}$) and corticosteroids (CSs) for the induction of remission in Korean pediatric CD patients. Methods: We retrospectively compared data from 51 pediatric CD patients who underwent induction therapy with EEN (n=19) or CSs (n=32) at Severance Children's Hospital or Incheon St. Mary's Hospital in Korea. The primary endpoint of this study was the rate of clinical remission, defined as a Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) score <10, after 8 weeks of induction treatment. Clinical, laboratory, and growth data at post-induction as well as their changes from baseline were also compared between groups. Results: After 8 weeks of induction therapy, clinical remission rates were 78.9% (15/19) and 65.6% (21/32) in the EEN and CS groups, respectively (p=0.313). No significant differences in PCDAI scores, laboratory variables, and growth parameters were noted between the two groups at post-induction. However, significant changes in albumin levels at post-induction were observed in the EEN group compared to the CS group (p=0.038). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the effectiveness of EEN with a polymeric diet and CSs for induction therapy did not differ in Korean pediatric CD patients. EEN with a polymeric diet is a good first-line treatment option for the induction of remission in these patients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.92-103
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• 2021

Lactobacillus casei, one of the most widely used probiotics, has been reported to alleviate multiple diseases. However, the effects of this species on intestinal diseases are strain-specific. Here, we aimed to screen L. casei strains with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-alleviating effects based on in vitro physiological characteristics. Therefore, the physiological characteristics of 29 L. casei strains were determined, including gastrointestinal transit tolerance, oligosaccharide fermentation, HT-29 cell adhesion, generation time, exopolysaccharide production, acetic acid production, and conjugated linoleic acid synthesis. The effects of five candidate strains on mice with induced colitis were also evaluated. The results showed that among all tested L. casei strains, only Lactobacillus casei M2S01 effectively relieved colitis. This strain recovered body weight, restored disease activity index score, and promoted anti-inflammatory cytokine expression. Gut microbiota sequencing showed that L. casei M2S01 restored a healthy gut microbiome composition. The western blotting showed that the alleviating effects of L. casei M2S01 on IBD were related to the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. A good gastrointestinal tolerance ability may be one of the prerequisites for the IBD-alleviating effects of L. casei. Our results verified the efficacy of L. casei in alleviating IBD and lay the foundation for the rapid screening of L. casei strain with IBD-alleviating effects.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.473-480
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• 2022

Purpose: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a complication in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are limited data evaluating dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a screening tool for low BMD in children with IBD. We performed a single site retrospective analysis of DXA use. Methods: Children aged 5-18 years with IBD diagnosed between 2013 to 2017 at the Royal Children's Hospital, Australia, were included. Patient demographics, measures of disease activity, DXA scores, and factors related to BMD were collected. Results: Over a median follow up of 5.1 (4-6.4) years, 72/239 (30.1%) children underwent DXA, and 28/239 (11.7%) children had a second DXA. Our DXA practice differed to consensus guidelines regarding initial screening based on height and/or body mass index (BMI) z-score (8/17 [47.1%]), and repeat surveillance (13/42 [31.0%]). Children had a median lumbar spine (LS) z-score -0.80 (-1.65-0.075). Children with LS z-score≤-2.0 (n=14) had lower weight (6.57 [1.78-23.7] vs. 51.1 [26.5-68.7], p=0.0002) and height centiles (3.62 [1.17-17.1] vs. 42 [16.9-67.1], p=0.0001), and higher faecal calprotectin (FCP) (3041 [1182-4192] vs. 585 [139-2419], p=0.009) compared to children with LS z-score>-2.0. No fractures were reported. Of 28 children who underwent a second DXA 1.6 (1.1-2.2) years following initial DXA, no significant change in z-scores occurred. Conclusion: Children with IBD had low BMD. In addition to height centile and weight centile, FCP was associated with lower BMD, and should be considered in DXA screening guidelines. Greater clinician awareness of DXA consensus guidelines is required. Future prospective studies are required.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.701-722
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• 1997

It was reported that low dose doxycycline(LDD) regimen could inhibit pathologically elevated collagenase activity in the gingival crevicular fluid of petients with adult periodontitis without producing typical antibiotic side effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LDD regimen(20mg) administered during non-surgical therapy on clinical index and gingival crevicular fluid enzyme activity in diabetics who are at high risk for periodontal disease. Forty-nine subjects having at least two sites with probing pocket depths greater than 4mm were selected. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the patients were administered 20 mg doxycycline capsule or placebo capsule b.i.d. for 2 weeks. Clinical parameters of dental plaque, gingival inflammation, probing pocket depth and probing attachment level were assessed at week 0, 2, 4, and 8. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected at the same time to evaluate the activities of collagenase and elastase. Clinical parameters and elastase activity were significantly reduced in all groups compared to the baseline value after treatment. Significantly greater reduction in pocket depth and gain in attachment level was shown in the LDD-administered group compared to placebo group in both adult periodontitis and diabetic patients. Total collagenase activity was also reduced significantly in all groups after treatment, but the greater reduction was seen in the LDD-administered diabetics group compared to relevant placebo group(at 4, 8week). Significantly greater reduction in active collagenase activity was also seen in the LDD-administered group compared to placebo group in diabetic patients(at 2, 4, 8week). These results indicated that use of low dose doxycycline could be aueseful adjunct to instrumentation therapy in the management of diabetic patient with periodontitis as well as adult periodontitis patient.